Server and information providing method

ABSTRACT

The server is configured to communicate with a plurality of power-supplying vehicles and a plurality of power-receiving vehicles. The server is configured to notify, to matched vehicles (candidate power-receiving vehicle and candidate power-supplying vehicle), a candidate gathering location list including respective pieces of information of a plurality of parking areas owned by third parties different from users of the matched vehicles, so as to make an inquiry to the users of the matched vehicles to select one of the plurality of parking areas included in the candidate gathering location list. The server is configured to determine a gathering location for the matched vehicles using the respective pieces of information of the parking areas selected by the users of the matched vehicles, and is configured to transmit the information of the parking area of the determined gathering location to the matched vehicles.

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/175,421, filed Oct. 30, 2018, which is based on Japanese PatentApplication No. 2017-212084 filed on Nov. 1, 2017, with the Japan PatentOffice, the entire contents of which all are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to a server for providing information toan electrically powered vehicle, and an information providing methodperformed by the server.

Description of the Background Art

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-192285 discloses a system thatprovides a service for aiding to charge an electrically powered vehiclethat needs to be charged. This system includes a plurality ofelectrically powered vehicles each configured to exchange power withanother vehicle. Among the plurality of electrically powered vehicles, acharging-requiring vehicle makes a request for supply of power theretoby simultaneously notifying the current location of thecharging-requiring vehicle to an unspecified number of other vehiclesaround the charging-requiring vehicle. This makes it possible for a userof the charging-requiring vehicle to save time and effort in performingpower-supplying negotiations with users of the other vehicles one afteranother.

SUMMARY

When actually performing power supplying and power receiving between twovehicles, the two vehicles need to be positioned adjacent to each otherand physically connected to each other. Hence, a space to park the twovehicles with certain room is needed at a location at which the twovehicles gather. If such a location (hereinafter, also referred to as“inter-vehicle charging executable location”) having a space for powersupplying and power receiving between the vehicles cannot be offered,power supplying and power receiving cannot be actually performed betweenthe two vehicles even when the two vehicles are matched using the systemdisclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2013-192285.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-describedproblem, and has an object to smoothly provide information of aninter-vehicle charging executable location to each of users of apower-supplying vehicle and a power-receiving vehicle.

(1) A server according to the present disclosure is configured tocommunicate with a plurality of power-supplying vehicles and a pluralityof power-receiving vehicles. The server includes: a storage configuredto store a location list including information of at least one ofparking areas owned by at least one third party different from each ofusers of the plurality of power-supplying vehicles and the plurality ofpower-receiving vehicles; and a controller configured to match at leastone of the plurality of power-supplying vehicles and at least one of theplurality of power-receiving vehicles and to transmit, to the matchedvehicles, the information of the parking area included in the locationlist.

According to the above-described configuration, the server can notify,to the matched vehicles, the parking area owned by the third partydifferent from the users of the matched vehicles, as an inter-vehiclecharging executable location. Hence, even when each of the users of thematched vehicles cannot offer an inter-vehicle charging executablelocation, information of an inter-vehicle charging executable locationcan be smoothly provided to the matched vehicles.

(2) In a certain embodiment, the information of the parking areaincludes information indicating whether or not the parking area is aparking area of a commercial facility, and when the parking area is theparking area of the commercial facility, the information of the parkingarea includes information regarding the commercial facility.

According to the above-described configuration, each of the users of thematched vehicles can check whether or not the parking area notified fromthe server is a parking area of a commercial facility, and when theparking area is the parking area of the commercial facility, each of theusers of the matched vehicles can check the information regarding thecommercial facility (such as coupon information, business typeinformation, and the like). Moreover, the third party can present, toeach of the users of the matched vehicles, the information regarding thecommercial facility owned by the third party.

(3) In a certain embodiment, the information regarding the commercialfacility includes coupon information that is able to be offered by thecommercial facility.

According to the above-described configuration, the third party canpresent the coupon information (for example, merchandise discountinformation or the like) of the commercial facility to each of the usersof the matched vehicles. Accordingly, the third party can attract, tothe commercial facility, users who are interested in the couponinformation of the commercial facility of the third party.

(4) In a certain embodiment, the information regarding the commercialfacility includes information of a type of business dealt with by thecommercial facility.

According to the above-described configuration, the third party canpresent, to each of the users of the matched vehicles, the information(for example, information indicating details of merchandise or servicesthat can be offered in the commercial facility) of the type of businessdealt with by the commercial facility. Accordingly, the third party canattract, to the commercial facility, users (customer segment targeted bythe commercial facility) who are interested in the type of businessdealt with by the commercial facility of the third party.

(5) In a certain embodiment, the location list includes respectivepieces of information of a plurality of the parking areas. Thecontroller is configured to: notify the location list to the matchedvehicles so as to make an inquiry to each of users of the matchedvehicles to select one of the respective pieces of information of theplurality of parking areas included in the location list; determine agathering location for the matched vehicles using respective pieces ofinformation of parking areas selected by the users of the matchedvehicles; and transmit information of the determined gathering locationto the matched vehicles.

According to the above-described configuration, each of the users of thematched vehicles can check the respective pieces of information of theplurality of parking areas included in the location list, and then canselect a desired gathering location.

(6) An information providing method according to the present disclosureis an information providing method performed by a server configured tocommunicate with a plurality of power-supplying vehicles and a pluralityof power-receiving vehicles. The server is configured to store alocation list including information of at least one of parking areasowned by at least one third party different from each of users of theplurality of power-supplying vehicles and the plurality ofpower-receiving vehicles. The information providing method includes:matching at least one of the plurality of power-supplying vehicles andat least one of the plurality of power-receiving vehicles; andtransmitting, to the matched vehicles, the information of the parkingarea included in the location list.

According to the above-described configuration, the server can notify,to the matched vehicles, the parking area owned by the third partydifferent from the users of the matched vehicles, as an inter-vehiclecharging executable location. Hence, even when each of the users of thematched vehicles cannot offer an inter-vehicle charging executablelocation, information of an inter-vehicle charging executable locationcan be smoothly provided to the matched vehicles.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent disclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows an entire configuration of an informationproviding system.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates inter-vehicle charging.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration in relation with anavigation device in the vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an exemplary process performedamong a power-receiving requesting vehicle, a server, a power-supplyingpermitted vehicle, and a parking area owner terminal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an exemplary detailed procedure of amatching process performed by the server.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary candidate gathering location list created bythe server.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure withreference to figures in detail. It should be noted that the same orcorresponding portions are given the same reference characters and arenot described repeatedly.

<System Configuration>

FIG. 1 schematically shows an entire configuration of an informationproviding system 10 according to the present embodiment. Informationproviding system 10 includes a plurality of electrically poweredvehicles (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “vehicles”) 100, aplurality of parking area owner terminals 200, and a server 300. Eachvehicle 100, each parking area owner terminal 200 and server 300 areconfigured to communicate with each other via a communication network400 such as the Internet or a telephone network. It should be noted thateach vehicle 100 is configured to send and receive information to andfrom a base station 410 of communication network 400 through wirelesscommunication.

As described below with reference to FIG. 2, vehicle 100 is an electricvehicle (EV) configured to generate driving power for traveling usingelectric power from a power storage device mounted thereon and to permitcharging of the power storage device using electric power supplied froma power supply external to the vehicle.

Parking area owner terminal 200 is a terminal device of an owner(hereinafter, also referred to as “parking area owner”) who owns aparking area in which at least two vehicles can be parked. The parkingarea owners include: an individual person (natural person); a legalperson that owns a commercial facility; and the like. Each parking areaowner operates parking area owner terminal 200 to provide server 300with information regarding the parking area owned by the parking areaowner.

Server 300 communicates with vehicle 100 and parking area owner terminal200 and provides various information to vehicle 100 and parking areaowner terminal 200.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary configuration of vehicle 100. Vehicle 100includes a power storage device 110, a PCU 120 serving as a drivingdevice, a motor generator 130, a power transmitting gear 135, drivingwheels 140, a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 150, and anavigation device 170.

In vehicle 100, power storage device 110 can be charged using powersupplied from a charging station or commercial power grid external tothe vehicle. Moreover, vehicle 100 can output power of power storagedevice 110 to outside the vehicle, and can perform “inter-vehiclecharging”, which is charging and discharging between vehicle 100 andanother vehicle.

FIG. 3 illustrates the inter-vehicle charging. For the inter-vehiclecharging, as shown in FIG. 3, a vehicle 100 (hereinafter, also referredto as “power-receiving vehicle 100A”) to receive power and a vehicle 100(hereinafter, also referred to as “power-supplying vehicle 100B”) tosupply power are connected to each other via a charging cable 500. Then,power is discharged from a power storage device 110B of power-supplyingvehicle 100B to charge a power storage device 110A of power-receivingvehicle 100A.

Turning back to FIG. 2, power storage device 110 is configured to becharged and discharged. Power storage device 110 is configured toinclude a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or anickel-hydrogen battery, or include a power storage element such as anelectric double layer capacitor, for example.

Power storage device 110 supplies electric power to PCU 120 so as togenerate driving power of vehicle 100. Further, power storage device 110stores electric power generated by motor generator 130. Power storagedevice 110 outputs, to vehicle ECU 150, detection values of voltage andcurrent of power storage device 110 detected by a sensor not shown inthe figure.

PCU 120 is configured to include power converting devices such as aconverter and an inverter, which are not shown in the figure. Each ofthe converter and the inverter is controlled by a control signal fromvehicle ECU 150 to convert DC power from power storage device 110 intoAC power for driving motor generator 130.

Motor generator 130 is an alternating-current rotating electricalmachine, such as a permanent-magnet type synchronous motor including arotor having a permanent magnet embedded therein. Output torque of motorgenerator 130 is transmitted to driving wheels 140 via powertransmitting gear 135 to travel vehicle 100. Motor generator 130 iscapable of generating electric power using rotation power of drivingwheels 140 when vehicle 100 operates for regenerative braking. Theelectric power thus generated is converted by PCU 120 into chargingpower for power storage device 110.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, vehicle ECU 150 includes a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), a storage device, and an input/output buffer, so as toreceive signals from sensors, send control signals to devices, andcontrol vehicle 100 and the devices. It should be noted that they can becontrolled by not only a process performed by software but also aprocess performed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit) constructedtherefor.

As a configuration for charging and discharging power storage device110, vehicle 100 further includes a bidirectional power convertingdevice 160, a communication device 180, and an inlet 190. A chargingconnector 510 of charging cable 500 is connected to inlet 190. Viacharging cable 500, power supplied from another vehicle is transferredto vehicle 100.

Bidirectional power converting device 160 is connected between powerstorage device 110 and inlet 190. Bidirectional power converting device160 is controlled by a control signal from vehicle ECU 150 to convertpower supplied from another vehicle or the like into power with whichpower storage device 110 can be charged. Moreover, bidirectional powerconverting device 160 converts power from power storage device 110 intopower that can be output to outside the vehicle.

Communication device 180 is an interface for communication betweenvehicle ECU 150 and server 300 external to the vehicle or anothervehicle. As described above, communication device 180 is configured tocommunicate with server 300 via communication network 400.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration in relation withnavigation device 170 in vehicle 100. Navigation device 170 includes aninput interface 172, a display 174, a storage 176, and a locationdetector 178 as shown in FIG. 4. Navigation device 170 uses mapinformation stored in storage 176 and location information of vehicle100 detected by GPS (Global Positioning System) of location detector178, so as to present the current location of vehicle 100 on a map forthe user and provide a navigation to a destination.

Display 174 is constructed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel andpresents the current location of vehicle 100 or various information fromvehicle ECU 150. Input interface 172 is constructed of a touch panel, aswitch, or the like, and receives an operation by the user.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of server 300. Server300 includes a controller 310, a storage 320, and a communication device330.

Communication device 330 is an interface for communication with vehicle100 via communication network 400. In storage 320, the map informationand the information (location information or the like) received fromvehicle 100 are stored.

Based on the information received from vehicle 100 by communicationdevice 330 and the information stored in storage 320, controller 310performs a matching process for vehicles that are to performinter-vehicle charging as described below.

<Matching of Vehicles that are to Perform Inter-Vehicle Charging>

As described above, vehicle 100 can perform inter-vehicle charging,which is charging and discharging between vehicle 100 and anothervehicle. Therefore, when a vehicle 100 (hereinafter, also referred to as“power-receiving requesting vehicle”) having a power storage device 110with a small remaining power amount and requesting reception of powerfrom another vehicle can be matched to a vehicle 100 (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as “power-supplying permitted vehicle”) having a powerstorage device 110 with a large remaining power amount and permitted tosupply power to another vehicle, electric energy stored in each vehicle100 can be utilized effectively.

However, in order to actually perform inter-vehicle charging between apower-receiving requesting vehicle and a power-supplying permittedvehicle, these vehicles need to be positioned adjacent to each other andphysically connected to each other. Hence, a space to park the twovehicles with certain room is needed at a location at which theinter-vehicle charging is to be performed. If a parking area(hereinafter, also referred to as “inter-vehicle charging executableparking area”) having such a space cannot be offered when server 300matches a power-receiving requesting vehicle and a power-supplyingpermitted vehicle, there is no location to connect the matched vehiclesphysically, with the result that inter-vehicle charging cannot beperformed.

In view of the above-described point, information providing system 10according to the present embodiment provides a service for matching apower-supplying permitted vehicle and a power-receiving requestingvehicle on a map. On this occasion, for a location at which thepower-supplying permitted vehicle and the power-receiving requestingvehicle are to be gathered, information providing system 10 employs alocation offered from a third party (parking area owner) different fromusers of the matched vehicles. Hereinafter, details of this service willbe described.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an exemplary process performedamong a power-receiving requesting vehicle (more specifically, vehicleECU 150 of the power-receiving requesting vehicle), server 300 (morespecifically, controller 310 of server 300), a power-supplying permittedvehicle (more specifically, vehicle ECU 150 of the power-supplyingpermitted vehicle), and parking area owner terminal 200 included ininformation providing system 10. It should be noted that for simplicityof explanation, FIG. 6 illustrates one power-receiving requestingvehicle, one power-supplying permitted vehicle, and one parking areaowner terminal 200; however, there may be actually a plurality ofpower-receiving requesting vehicles, a plurality of power-supplyingpermitted vehicles, and a plurality of parking area owner terminals 200.

When an inter-vehicle charging executable parking area owned by theparking area owner is permitted by the parking area owner to be utilizedas a location at which inter-vehicle charging is to be performed,parking area owner terminal 200 transmits parking area utilizationpermission information to server 300 (step S30). The parking areautilization permission information includes: location information of theparking area permitted to be utilized; utilization fee information ofthe parking area; classification information indicating whether theparking area is a parking area of an individual person or a parking areaof a commercial facility; business type information of the commercialfacility; coupon information thereof; and the like (see FIG. 8 describedbelow). Server 300 stores, into storage 320, the parking areautilization permission information received from parking area ownerterminal 200 (step S40).

When it is permitted in the power-supplying permitted vehicle to supplypower to another vehicle, the power-supplying permitted vehicletransmits power-supplying permission information to server 300 (stepS10). The power-supplying permission information includes informationsuch as the vehicle ID for specifying the power-supplying permittedvehicle, and the current location of the power-supplying permittedvehicle. Server 300 stores, into storage 320, the power-supplyingpermission information received from the power-supplying permittedvehicle (step S50).

In order to request to receive power from another vehicle, thepower-receiving requesting vehicle transmits power-receiving requestinformation to server 300 (step S20). The power receiving requestinformation includes information such as the vehicle ID for specifyingthe power-receiving requesting vehicle and the current location of thepower-receiving requesting vehicle.

When server 300 receives the power-receiving request information fromthe power-receiving requesting vehicle, server 300 performs a process(hereinafter, also simply referred to as “matching process”) for settingthe power-receiving requesting vehicle as a candidate power-receivingvehicle and setting a candidate power-supplying vehicle suitable for thecandidate power-receiving vehicle so as to match the vehicles (stepS100).

It should be noted that for simplicity of explanation, the followingdescribes a case where one candidate power-receiving vehicle and onecandidate power-supplying vehicle are matched through the matchingprocess; however, a combination of vehicles to be matched is not limitedto this. For example, two or more candidate power-supplying vehicles maybe matched to one candidate power-receiving vehicle.

In the matching process, based on the power-receiving requestinformation received from the candidate power-receiving vehicle and therespective pieces of stored information of a plurality ofpower-supplying permitted vehicles in storage 320, server 300 selects avehicle suitable to supply power to the candidate power-receivingvehicle, from the plurality of power-supplying permitted vehicles, andsets the selected power-supplying permitted vehicle as a candidatepower-supplying vehicle. This process corresponds to the process formatching a candidate power-receiving vehicle and a candidatepower-supplying vehicle.

Then, using each current location of the candidate power-receivingvehicle and the candidate power-supplying vehicle and the parking areautilization permission information stored in storage 320, server 300creates a list (hereinafter, also referred to as “candidate gatheringlocation list”) indicating candidates of locations for gathering of thecandidate power-receiving vehicle and the candidate power-supplyingvehicle for the purpose of inter-vehicle charging. Then, server 300transmits the created candidate gathering location list to the candidatepower-receiving vehicle and the candidate power-supplying vehicle so asto make an inquiry to each of the users of the candidate power-receivingvehicle and the candidate power-supplying vehicle to select one of theplurality of parking areas included in the candidate gathering locationlist.

The candidate power-supplying vehicle having received this inquirypresents, on display 174, the candidate gathering location list receivedfrom server 300, allows the user to select one of the plurality ofparking areas included in the candidate gathering location list, andmakes a response to server 300 by returning, to server 300,selected-location information indicating the parking area selected bythe user (step S15). Likewise, the candidate power-receiving vehiclepresents, on display 174, the candidate gathering location list receivedfrom server 300, allows the user to select one of the plurality ofparking areas included in the candidate gathering location list, andmakes a response to server 300 by returning, to server 300,selected-location information indicating the parking area selected bythe user (step S25).

Server 300 determines a gathering location for the candidatepower-supplying vehicle and the candidate power-receiving vehicle usingthe selected-location information returned from the candidatepower-supplying vehicle and the selected-location information returnedfrom the candidate power-receiving vehicle. Then, server 300 notifies,to the candidate power-supplying vehicle and the candidatepower-receiving vehicle, matching determination information includingthe information of the candidate power-supplying vehicle and thecandidate power-receiving vehicle and information of the determinedgathering location.

The candidate power-receiving vehicle having received the matchingdetermination information from server 300 presents the received contenton display 174 (step S26). Likewise, the power-supplying permittedvehicle having received the matching determination information fromserver 300 presents the received content on display 174 (step S16).Accordingly, even when the user of each vehicle cannot offer aninter-vehicle charging executable parking area, the user of each vehiclechecks the counterpart, matched vehicle and the gathering location, andmoves to the gathering location so as to perform inter-vehicle chargingwith the counterpart, matched vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an exemplary detailed procedure of thematching process (step S100 of FIG. 6) performed by server 300. Server300 is triggered to start the process of this flowchart by receiving thepower-receiving request information from the power-receiving requestingvehicle.

First, server 300 sets, as a candidate power-receiving vehicle, thepower-receiving requesting vehicle specified by the power-receivingrequest information (S110).

Next, server 300 performs a process for setting a candidatepower-supplying vehicle, based on the power-receiving requestinformation received from the candidate power-receiving vehicle andrespective pieces of stored power-supplying permission information of aplurality of power-supplying permitted vehicles in storage 320 (stepS111). For example, from the plurality of power-supplying permittedvehicles stored in storage 320, server 300 sets, as the candidatepower-supplying vehicle, a power-supplying permitted vehicle whosedistance from the candidate power-receiving vehicle is less than athreshold value and whose possible power-supplying amount is the closestto the requested power-receiving amount of the candidate power-receivingvehicle.

Next, server 300 creates the candidate gathering location list usingeach of the current locations of the candidate power-receiving vehicleand the candidate power-supplying vehicle and the parking areautilization permission information stored in storage 320 (step S120).

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary candidate gathering location list created byserver 300. The candidate gathering location list includes respectivepieces of information of a plurality of parking areas owned by thirdparties.

The information of each parking area includes: information indicating adistance from each vehicle to the parking area; information indicatingthe utilization fee of the parking area; and classification informationindicating whether the parking area is a parking area of an individualperson or a parking area of a commercial facility. When theclassification information indicates a “commercial facility”, theinformation of the parking area further includes information regardingthe commercial facility, specifically, includes: coupon information thatcan be offered by the commercial facility; and information of a type ofbusiness dealt with by the commercial facility.

For the parking area indicated to be a parking area of a “commercialfacility” by the classification information, each of the users toperform inter-vehicle charging can be expected to utilize the commercialfacility, so that the utilization fee of the parking area can be a fixedfee or free. On the other hand, for the parking area indicated to be aparking area of an “individual person” by the classificationinformation, the utilization fee is paid to the individual person whoowns the parking area, whereby balance can be kept between each user whoutilizes the parking area and the third party (individual person) whooffers the parking area. It should be noted that the utilization fee issupposed to be paid by the user of the power-receiving vehicle; however,the operator of information providing system 10 may pay part of or wholeof the utilization fee.

In a case shown in FIG. 8, respective pieces of information of fourparking areas A to D are shown. Regarding parking area A shown in FIG.8, it is understandable that: a distance from the candidatepower-receiving vehicle to parking area A is “L1 (km)”; a distance fromthe candidate power-supplying vehicle to parking area A is “L2 (km)”;the utilization fee is “free”; parking area A is a parking area of a“commercial facility”; the type of business of the commercial facilityis a “large-sized shopping center”; and there is discount formerchandise, food and drink as coupon information of the commercialfacility. The similar applies to parking area B and parking area C,which are parking areas of other commercial facilities.

On the other hand, regarding parking area D shown in FIG. 8, it isunderstandable that: a distance from the candidate power-receivingvehicle to parking area D is “L7 (km)”; a distance from the candidatepower-supplying vehicle to parking area D is “L8 (km)”; the utilizationfee of parking area D is “ΔΔ JPY/hour”; and parking area D is a parkingarea of an “individual person”.

Turning back to FIG. 7, server 300 transmits the created candidategathering location list to the candidate power-receiving vehicle and thecandidate power-supplying vehicle so as to make an inquiry to each ofthe users of the candidate power-receiving vehicle and the candidatepower-supplying vehicle to select one of the plurality of parking areasincluded in the candidate gathering location list (step S122).

When server 300 receives a response to the inquiry of step S122 fromeach of the candidate power-receiving vehicle and the candidatepower-supplying vehicle, server 300 determines whether or not thelocation selected by the user of the candidate power-supplying vehiclecoincides with the location selected by the user of the candidatepower-receiving vehicle (step S124).

When the respective locations selected by the users coincide with eachother (YES in step S124), server 300 sets the location selected by theusers, as the gathering location (step S126).

On the other hand, when the respective locations selected by the usersdo not coincide with each other (NO in step S124), server 300 sets, asthe gathering location, a location automatically selected by server 300.For example, server 300 can automatically select, as the gatheringlocation, the location selected by the user of the candidatepower-receiving vehicle that has a small remaining power amount in powerstorage device 110 and that can travel a short distance. It should benoted that server 300 may automatically select, as the gatheringlocation, the location selected by the user of the candidatepower-supplying vehicle.

Next, server 300 confirms the matching of the candidate power-receivingvehicle and the candidate power-supplying vehicle (step S130).Specifically, the candidate power-receiving vehicle and the candidatepower-supplying vehicle are confirmed as matching target vehicles, andthe gathering location set in step S126 or step S128 is confirmed as anon-provisional gathering location.

Moreover, server 300 notifies, to both the matched vehicles, thematching determination information including the information of eachvehicle, the information of the gathering location, and the like (stepS140).

As described above, server 300 according to the present embodimenttransmits, to the matched vehicles (the candidate power-receivingvehicle and the candidate power-supplying vehicle), the information ofthe parking area owned by the third party different from the users ofthe matched vehicles. Accordingly, server 300 can notify, to the matchedvehicles, the parking area owned by the third party as an inter-vehiclecharging executable location. Hence, even when each of the users of thematched vehicles cannot offer an inter-vehicle charging executablelocation, information of an inter-vehicle charging executable locationcan be smoothly provided to the matched vehicles.

In particular, server 300 according to the present embodiment notifies,to the matched vehicles, the candidate gathering location list (see FIG.8) including the respective pieces of information of the plurality ofparking areas so as to make an inquiry to the users of the matchedvehicles to select one of the plurality of parking areas included in thecandidate gathering location list. Then, server 300 determines thegathering location for the matched vehicles using the respective piecesof information of the parking areas selected by the users of the matchedvehicles, and transmits the information of the determined gatheringlocation to the matched vehicles. Accordingly, each of the users of thematched vehicles can check the respective pieces of information of theplurality of parking areas included in the candidate gathering locationlist, and then can select a desired gathering location. Moreover, thethird party can attract the users of the matched vehicles to the parkingarea owned by the third party. Accordingly, a new business opportunitycan be provided to the third party.

Further, the information of each parking area included in the candidategathering location list includes the classification informationindicating whether the parking area is a parking area of a commercialfacility or a parking area of an individual person. Hence, each of theusers can check whether each parking area included in the candidategathering location list is a parking area of a commercial facility or aparking area of an individual person, and then can select a desiredgathering location.

Further, the information of each parking area included in the candidategathering location list includes coupon information (for example,merchandise discount information or the like) of a commercial facilitywhen the parking area is a parking area of the commercial facility.Accordingly, the third party can present, to each of the users of thematched vehicles, the coupon information (for example, merchandisediscount information or the like) of the commercial facility owned bythe third party. Accordingly, the third party can attract, to thecommercial facility, users who are interested in the coupon informationof the commercial facility of the third party.

Further, the information of each parking area included in the candidategathering location list includes information of a type of business dealtwith by a commercial facility (for example, details of merchandise orservices that can be offered in the commercial facility) when theparking area is a parking area of the commercial facility. Accordingly,the third party can present, to each of the users of the matchedvehicles, the type of business dealt with by the commercial facility.Accordingly, the third party who owns the commercial facility canattract, to the commercial facility, users (customer segment targeted bythe commercial facility) who are interested in the type of businessdealt with by the commercial facility of the third party.

<Modification 1>

In the above-described embodiment, server 300 creates the candidategathering location list using the parking area utilization permissioninformation stored in storage 320.

However, the method of creating the candidate gathering location list isnot limited to such a method. For example, the candidate gatheringlocation list may be created using parking area utilization permissioninformation obtained by server 300 from a plurality of parking areaowner terminals 200 in real time. According to such a method, each ofthe users of the matched vehicles can check the information in realtime. Accordingly, an information providing system more convenient forthe users can be provided.

<Modification 2>

In the above-described embodiment, it has been illustratively describedthat server 300 presents the candidate gathering location list to eachuser, and allows the user to select a desire gathering location from theplurality of parking areas included in the candidate gathering locationlist.

However, for example, from the plurality of parking areas included inthe candidate gathering location list, server 300 may automaticallyextract a gathering location that satisfies a condition set by each userin advance, and may determine the extracted parking area as thegathering location.

<Modification 3>

In the above-described embodiment, it has been illustratively describedthat each vehicle 100 is provided with communication device 180configured to be communicatively connected to communication network 400directly (see FIG. 4).

However, the communicative connection between each vehicle 100 andcommunication network 400 may be made using a mobile terminal held bythe user of each vehicle 100. Specifically, each vehicle 100 may beconfigured to perform short distance communication with a mobileterminal held by the user and configured to be communicatively connectedto communication network 400 via the mobile terminal.

<Modification 4>

In the above-described embodiment, it has been illustratively describedthat the power-supplying vehicle is an electric vehicle (EV) thattravels using electric power. However, the power-supplying vehicle maybe a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can travel using electric power as wellas fuel (such as gasoline) other than electric power.

<Modification 5>

In the above-described embodiment, it has been illustratively describedthat server 300 notifies the information of the matched vehicles and thegathering location to the matched vehicles as the matching determinationinformation.

However, the matching determination information notified by server 300to the matched vehicles is not limited only to the information describedabove. For example, in addition to the above-described information,server 300 may transmit, to the matched vehicles, a distance from eachvehicle to the gathering location, a time required by each vehicle tomove to the gathering location, a gathering time, a power amount thatcan be supplied by the candidate power-supplying vehicle, apower-receiving amount requested by the candidate power-receivingvehicle, user information of the matched counterpart (such as contactinformation and the like).

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scopeof the present disclosure being interpreted by the terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A server configured to communicate with apower-supplying vehicle and a power-receiving vehicle, the servercomprising: a storage configured to store a location list includinginformation of a plurality of parking areas; and a controller configuredto: notify the location list to the vehicles so as to make an inquiry toeach of users of the vehicles to select one of the respective pieces ofinformation of the plurality of parking areas included in the locationlist, determine a gathering location for the vehicles using respectivepieces of information of parking areas selected by the users of thevehicles, and transmit information of the determined gathering locationto the vehicles.
 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein theinformation of the parking area includes information indicating whetheror not the parking area is a parking area of a commercial facility, andwhen the parking area is the parking area of the commercial facility,the information of the parking area includes information regarding thecommercial facility.
 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein theinformation regarding the commercial facility includes couponinformation that is able to be offered by the commercial facility. 4.The server according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding thecommercial facility includes information of a type of business dealtwith by the commercial facility.
 5. The server according to claim 1,wherein the information of the parking area includes informationindicating a distance from the power-supplying vehicle to the parkingarea.
 6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the information of theparking area includes information indicating a distance from thepower-receiving vehicle to the parking area.
 7. The server according toclaim 1, wherein the information of the parking area includesinformation indicating the utilization fee of the parking area.
 8. Theserver according to claim 1, wherein the information of the parking areaincludes information indicating whether or not the parking area is aparking area of an individual person.
 9. The server according to claim1, wherein when a location selected by the user of the power-supplyingvehicle coincides with a location selected by the user of thepower-receiving vehicle, the controller sets the location selected bythe users, as the gathering location.
 10. The server according to claim1, wherein when a location selected by the user of the power-supplyingvehicle does not coincide with a location selected by the user of thepower-receiving vehicle, the controller sets, as the gathering location,a location automatically selected by the server.
 11. An informationproviding method performed by a server configured to communicate with apower-supplying vehicle and a power-receiving vehicle, the server beingconfigured to store a location list including information of a pluralityof parking areas, the information providing method comprising: notifyingthe location list to the vehicles so as to make an inquiry to each ofusers of the vehicles to select one of the respective pieces ofinformation of the plurality of parking areas included in the locationlist, determining a gathering location for the vehicles using respectivepieces of information of parking areas selected by the users of thevehicles, and transmitting information of the determined gatheringlocation to the vehicles.
 12. The information providing method accordingto claim 11, wherein the information of the parking area includesinformation indicating whether or not the parking area is a parking areaof a commercial facility, and when the parking area is the parking areaof the commercial facility, the information of the parking area includesinformation regarding the commercial facility.
 13. The informationproviding method according to claim 12, wherein the informationregarding the commercial facility includes coupon information that isable to be offered by the commercial facility.
 14. The informationproviding method according to claim 12, wherein the informationregarding the commercial facility includes information of a type ofbusiness dealt with by the commercial facility.
 15. The informationproviding method according to claim 11, wherein the information of theparking area includes information indicating a distance from thepower-supplying vehicle to the parking area.
 16. The informationproviding method according to claim 11, wherein the information of theparking area includes information indicating a distance from thepower-receiving vehicle to the parking area.
 17. The informationproviding method according to claim 11, wherein the information of theparking area includes information indicating the utilization fee of theparking area.
 18. The information providing method according to claim11, wherein the information of the parking area includes informationindicating whether or not the parking area is a parking area of anindividual person.
 19. The information providing method according toclaim 11, wherein the information providing method further comprises:when a location selected by the user of the power-supplying vehiclecoincides with a location selected by the user of the power-receivingvehicle, setting the location selected by the users, as the gatheringlocation.
 20. The information providing method according to claim 11,wherein the information providing method further comprises: when alocation selected by the user of the power-supplying vehicle does notcoincide with a location selected by the user of the power-receivingvehicle, setting, as the gathering location, a location automaticallyselected by the serve.